Pet Training and Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning cannot actually make the dog sit or jump at the command, but it does change the way the pet feels about a particular situation in which it is right now. Classical conditioning theory gives an explanation about the behavior of an animal relating to a particular place, object or event. It explains how the emotional response is developed. The responses can be developed in the animal either wontedly or by chance. Also the trainer must remember that the change in the behavior is irreversible most of the time.
One of the most common behaviors dealt with in conditioned emotional response is fear. The fear can be instinctive, learned or unknown. For example, if a cat gets scared upon seeing a dog, this is instinctive fear. If the cat backs off upon seeing a raised hand, this is learned fear. This can happen in the case of an abused cat. If there is fear because of lack of exposure to a particular situation before, this is known as fear of the unknown.
The conditioned emotional responses, which are dislikeable, can be reduced with the help of classical conditioning. Classical conditioning theory further has two concepts, namely desensitization and counter-conditioning. Desensitization is reducing the sensitivity of the animal towards a particular unavoidable situation. The bad situation is created again and again until the animal becomes insensitive or doesn’t feel anything about it anymore. For example, if the animal is given crate training, it is locked inside the crate again and again, till he gets used to staying locked inside the cage, and it doesn't bother the pet.
In counter-conditioning the animal is exposed to a lower degree of extremity. The intensity is less and as well a positive thing is presented to the animal. By doing this the pet begins to like the unpleasant situation. The pet is made to respond in such a way, which contradicts the current or previous reaction. For example, a pet doesn’t like to be locked up in a crate all the time. But this undesirable situation can be made to look pleasant if the pet is fed with a treat from time to time as long as it stays calm while inside the cage.
Negative counter conditioning is another technique, but it is used very rarely. For example, if the cat likes to bite the hand of the owner, the person can rub something distasteful on their hand. When the animal bites their hand, it will taste the distasteful substance and then associate the bad taste with the hand and will not bite again.
Classical conditioning theory is used to alter the reaction of the animal in a particular situation. With classical conditioning it can be made to like an unpleasant situation and even dislike a pleasant condition.
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